I've read several threads about leaks in the heater cores of the Winnie/Itasca DPs. Luckily, I've owned my Journey since new (8 years) and never had that problem.

The few times we've needed the heat up front, we've found it very ineffective. In the interest of beating the problem to the punch, for once, I'd like to just shut off the water to the front heater and use the genny and heat pumps when we need heat.

I've noticed a couple of valves on water lines near the engine compartment. Are those the lines going to the front heater? Can I just shut off those valves and be done or do I need to disconnect the water lines somewhere and rig a bypass? If those valves do the job, is there any need to then drain the lines or otherwise relieve the pressure in them? I realize they won't freeze, but someone mentioned the weight of the lines putting stress on the core.

I guess another session of crawling around under the beast would probably answer my question, but I'm feeling lazy today. And I for sure don't want to get into removal of that front cap...

Glad to help. But I was hoping you would look for the valves and let us know where they were. Gaffney shut mine off and I need to open them before heading south. BTW they turned them off because I thought the dash air was not up to par. According to them, the Winny vacuum hot water diverter valve in the heater is often faulty and allows heat to be mixed with the AC air. Havn't been able to prove that. Will wait until get to FL. We'll see.

When my first heater core started leaking I stopped at a parts store and bought a heater hose repair kit which is a short 5/8 diameter plastic tube. I disconnected the hoses that go into the heater core and connected them together so the coolant circulates bypassing the core. It came in handy again as the second core went also. So far the third core is holding up. I have also installed a shut off valves in case the hoses spring a leak.

Appreciate the photos, thanks. BTW the hoses don't look insulated. Has anyone tried the put copper pipe insulation along the route? Seems in cold weather a lot of heat lost going to the front of cab. A lot of posts about dash heater being less than desired.

When my first heater core started leaking I stopped at a parts store and bought a heater hose repair kit which is a short 5/8 diameter plastic tube. I disconnected the hoses that go into the heater core and connected them together so the coolant circulates bypassing the core. It came in handy again as the second core went also. So far the third core is holding up. I have also installed a shut off valves in case the hoses spring a leak.

I carry the plastic connector as well. Haven't needed it yet but ya never know.
Richard